LSU AgCenter building opens in Abbeville

(03/15/19) ABBEVILLE, La. — Vermilion Parish and Abbeville officials held a ribbon-cutting on March 14 for the new LSU AgCenter parish office.

The new building is located on the same site as the old facility that flooded in August 2016.

AgCenter agent Andrew Granger thanked the Vermilion Parish Police Jury for funding the construction. The police jury called a special election for a proposition to rededicate money to fund the project.

“We don’t have to worry about flooding anymore,” Granger said.

Granger thanked the volunteer building committee for its input and guidance in the project.

The new office, at 12 feet above sea level, is 4 feet higher than the previous building. It is 8,000 square feet, 2,000 square feet larger than the old building.

Keith Roy, Vermilion Parish Police Jury administrator, said the new office is an important gathering place for one of the largest 4-H memberships in the state as well as for farmers.

“This is a tremendous organization you have here, and we’re glad we have this building for you,” Roy said.

Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza thanked the police jury and the AgCenter for keeping the office in Abbeville.

During construction, AgCenter employees were housed in a Vermilion Parish School Board building in Henry and at the old parish health unit in Abbeville.

Vermilion Parish and Abbeville officials cut the ribbon for
a new LSU AgCenter extension office, replacing the old building that was
damaged by the August 2016 flood. The new 8,000-square-foot office was built up
4 feet higher than the previous building. Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter

The new LSU AgCenter building in Abbeville includes a large
space for meetings and events. Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter